A Strange Sight at the Bank Entrance
When Otha Anders walked into the bank pulling a squeaky dolly stacked with heavy containers, every head turned. Bank employees stared in disbelief as jug after jug rolled across the floor. No one could imagine why a 73-year-old man would bring such an unusual load into a quiet local bank.
A Lifetime Habit That Began With Faith
For Anders, pennies were never just spare change. Deeply religious, he believed every lost penny he found was a small reminder from God to stay thankful. What began as a simple habit slowly transformed into a lifelong mission—he vowed never to spend a penny again, no matter how small the value.
Forty-Five Years of Silent Collecting
Year after year, Anders picked up pennies from sidewalks, parking lots, and hallways. He even made sure his cash purchases always included pennies in the change. Friends, family, and students eventually joined in, but Anders insisted on compensating anyone who gave him a penny. Every coin had to be earned.
When Pennies Became a Problem
After decades of collecting, Anders filled 15 five-gallon water jugs with pennies—far too many to count by hand. He planned to keep collecting forever, but trouble came when his insurance company refused to cover the growing hoard. Reluctantly, he realized it was time to cash in his most treasured possession.
A Bank Faced With Half a Million Coins
At the Ruston bank in Louisiana, employees hesitated. Counting hundreds of thousands of pennies would take hours. But when the manager recognized Anders as a loyal customer, the decision was made. Coin-counting machines whirred nonstop as jug after jug was emptied.
The Final Count Shocked Everyone
After five long hours, the total appeared: $5,136.14. Averaged out, Anders had collected about $114 a year—simply by picking up forgotten pennies. It wasn’t a fortune, but it was proof that patience and consistency can quietly add up over time.
A Small Hobby With a Big Lesson
Anders used the money to pay an unexpected dental bill, grateful that his lifelong habit helped him at just the right moment. What started as a spiritual reminder turned into a powerful lesson—that even the smallest things, done faithfully over time, can make a meaningful difference.
